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die Laufbahn
career
A person's professional or career-related path and development.
example
Sie schlug eine akademische Laufbahn ein und wurde Professorin.
She pursued an academic career and became a professor.
die Laufbahn
career / track / orbit
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
'Laufbahn' is made up of 'Lauf' (from laufen, to run) and 'Bahn' (way, path). The meaning changes depending on what is moving along this 'Bahn' (path): a person's career, an athlete, or a celestial body.
EXAMPLE
Seine berufliche Laufbahn führte ihn durch viele Länder.
His professional career took him through many countries.
Context clues
The context reveals which meaning is intended. Words like 'Beruf' (profession) or 'Karriere' (career) point to professional development. 'Stadion' (stadium) or 'Rennen' (race) point to the sports track. 'Planet' or 'Komet' (comet) signal the astronomical meaning.
EXAMPLE
Er möchte nach der Schule eine Laufbahn als Polizist einschlagen.
After school, he wants to pursue a career as a police officer.
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'Karriere' (career), 'Laufbahn' is often used with the verb 'einschlagen' (to pursue / embark on). Typical adjectives are 'akademisch' (academic), 'politisch' (political), or 'beruflich' (professional).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Studium schlug sie eine akademische Laufbahn ein.
After her studies, she pursued an academic career.
Preposition in sports
When referring to the running track in a stadium, the preposition 'auf' is almost always used. You run 'auf der Laufbahn' (on the track).
EXAMPLE
Die Athleten wärmen sich auf der Laufbahn für das Rennen auf.
The athletes are warming up on the track for the race.
Compare with
Laufbahn vs Bahn
train / track
'die Bahn' and 'die Laufbahn' can both mean a fixed path or track for movement. In sports, 'die Laufbahn' specifically means the track that people run on, usually in a stadium. 'die Bahn' is more general and can also mean a swimming lane, a bowling lane, or the trajectory of an object. For celestial bodies or projectiles, both can refer to a path of movement, but 'Laufbahn' sounds more specific here. Learners may confuse them because 'Laufbahn' contains the word 'Bahn'. The important point is: every 'Laufbahn' is a kind of 'Bahn', but not every 'Bahn' is a 'Laufbahn'.
Laufbahn
Vor dem Wettkampf wärmen sich die Läufer auf der Laufbahn auf.
Before the competition, the runners warm up on the track.
Bahn
Beim Kegeln rollte die Kugel langsam über die Bahn.
During bowling, the ball rolled slowly down the lane.
In real life
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